Underrated Icon #2: STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM...NOW WE'RE HERE!
KEHLANI is what everybody call her. Kehlani Ashley Parrish is an American singer/songwriter from Alameda, California. She was born on April 24, 1995. Kehlani was in American Got Talent in 2011 with her band Poplyfe, but unfortunately the band couldn't make it to the final.
After the competition ended, the band broken up for some reasons and Kehlani gave up singing for 6 months. The judges that time told Kehlani that she didn't need the band and she would be better off her own. Kehlani began to work as a part-time job from Hot Topic to an ice cream parlour.
Kehlani was raised by her aunt because her dad passed away when she was one year old and right after she was born her mother was sent to jail because of drug and alcohol problem. She resorted to stealing from places like Walgreens, Walmart, and Lucky's to get food and clothing and would spend nights in "trap houses", having to hide her belongings when strangers walked in. Kehlani and her childhood best friend would also often sing on the streets for money to provide meals for themselves.
She was pretty close with Nick Canon, and Canon helped her after she became homeless since she was 16 as well as helped her singing career. Kehlani created a song depicting her and her mothers relationship titled The Letter, found in her "You Should Be Here" mixtape.
Kehlani is influenced by various artists such as Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, and Musiq Soulchild In addition to these artists, Kehlani has stated that she is influenced by girl groups that were popular in the 90's. She is also influenced by non musical leaders such as Frida Kahlo, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Kehlani wants her music to uplift young people and encourage them to be confident in themselves.
Her music is heavily influenced by her life experiences as well as the area she grew up in.
